Yahaya Bello finally responds to EFCC invitation
Former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has finally responded to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His media office announced the news on Wednesday, stating that the decision followed discussions with his family, legal team, and political allies.
In April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted after he reportedly ignored multiple invitations and resisted arrest. EFCC officials attempted to arrest him at his residence in Abuja, but there was a standoff.
After hours of being unable to carry out their mission, the security operatives received backup support from the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS). They were preparing to forcibly arrest Bello when Governor Usman Ododo, Bello’s successor, arrived at the scene.
Ododo entered Bello’s compound but left after a short time. However, as he was departing, reports emerged that Bello was in his vehicle, prompting security operatives who had been on standby for hours to open fire.
Since the incident on April 17, 2024, Bello had not been seen in public.
A week later, the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, revealed that he had personally reached out to invite the former governor to respond to investigations regarding his alleged involvement in money laundering amounting to N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty-Nine Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo).
While addressing media executives at the EFCC’s Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, Olukoyede stated that he had a telephone conversation with Bello, offering him opportunities to present himself for questioning by EFCC investigators.
“On my honour, I called him to acknowledge him as a former governor. He said, ‘I can’t come,’ claiming that a certain lady had surrounded the EFCC with over 100 journalists to embarrass or intimidate him. I told him that if that was his fear, I would arrange for him to come directly to my office. I would invite my operatives to interrogate him there. What could be more honourable than that? Do you know what he said? ‘Can’t they come to my village?’ My Director of Investigations also sent a message to him.”
The EFCC Chairman expressed concern about the reports of embezzlement linked to the former governor. “A sitting governor, knowing he was leaving office, moved money directly from the government’s account to a bureau de change to pay his children’s school fees in advance, totaling $720,000, in anticipation of leaving government house,” he said.
Bello has continually denied the allegations through statements from his media team.
In Wednesday’s statement, Ohiare Michael, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, said, “It is our hope that the Commission will act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ohiare added that details of Bello’s engagement with the anti-graft agency would be disclosed later.
The EFCC has yet to respond to the development.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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